Boughton Lodge Care Home

I have dedicated my entire career to helping and supporting people at every stage of their lives. I began as a Nursery Practitioner and Baby Room Leader, building a strong foundation in early years care before moving into mental health services as a Support Worker, working with both inpatients and outpatients. I then progressed into children’s residential homes and worked alongside Social Services, completing detailed assessments and writing reports for court. My journey has also included supporting elderly residents in residential care homes, where I discovered a particular passion for safeguarding and end-of-life care.

Starting in residential care as a Carer, I worked my way up to Senior Care Assistant, then Team Leader, and now serve proudly in my role as Home Manager. Each step has strengthened my leadership skills and deepened my commitment to providing compassionate, person-centred care. I hold a qualification in Performing Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Community Work, and I am currently working towards my NVQ Level 5 in Leadership and Management. Above all, my passion has always been — and continues to be — helping those in need. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling and taking mini breaks with my loved ones, creating special memories together.

My name is Elaine, and I am the activities coordinator here at Boughton Lodge. Throughout my career, I have always enjoyed being creative. But it wasn't until my husband purchased a shop in Daventry and we moved to Northampton that I secured a job that would enable me to travel the world and use this creativity. It was my job to arrange bespoke travel programmes for my clients and enable them to engage in experiences of a lifetime. Every tiny detail had to be considered, but the reward of seeing the clients' faces was worth every long hour we worked. I was in this job for nearly 20 years until, due to personal circumstances, I had to change jobs, and I moved to the health and care sector and worked for a charity providing independent and affordable living for older people. It was the best job in the world, where I arranged activities for over 300 residents, even taking them on holiday. After 14 years, the charity was taken over, and I moved to NGH for nearly 4 years and then needed to work part-time. This is when I came to Boughton Lodge. It was like walking into a family of caring, wonderful staff that created an atmosphere that hugs you as soon as you walk through the front door. It is my job to engage with the residents as a group and as individuals to enable them to fulfil their day with meaningful, enjoyable and most importantly, person-centred activities. We have a weekly planner of what activities we will indulge in, but it is always totally flexible. Our residents are not here to fit in with our timetable; we are here to fit into theirs. If we have planned noodle hockey, but they want to sing their hearts out on karaoke, so be it. If I have organised a quiet craft session and they decide they want to form their own rock band, then that's what we will do. The residents here at Boughton Lodge love animals and live entertainment. We have had penguins, miniature donkeys and a farm visit the Lodge along with Flossy, our PAT dog who visits each week.

We take time to listen to our residents, understand their needs and what they enjoy. They are all different, and yes, maybe they might not remember the following day what they did, BUT they will remember how we made them feel.

Personal facts - I have a husky dog licence and can legally take members of the public on a sledge, I have met a real Santa Claus, I have met Richard Branson, who is my hero, I am extremely accident-prone, and intend to write a book about my mishaps when I retire. I like writing poetry.